Tanzania Itinerary
with optional add-on:
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking
Welcome to Tanzania
Tanzania, a jewel in East Africa, boasts unparalleled natural beauty and diverse ecosystems, encompassing renowned destinations such as Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti.
Tarangire National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, with its iconic baobab trees and vast savannahs hosting a rich variety of fauna, including elephants, lions, and an array of bird species. The park's seasonal river ensures a constant flow of animal activity.
Lake Manyara, a picturesque alkaline lake, provides a unique landscape against the backdrop of the Rift Valley escarpment. The lake is renowned for its tree-climbing lions and flocks of flamingos, creating a surreal and captivating scene.
Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a natural wonder with its breathtaking caldera that shelters a remarkable concentration of wildlife. The crater is a microcosm of Africa, featuring diverse habitats and an abundance of animals, including the rare black rhinoceros.
The Serengeti, synonymous with the Great Migration, offers a timeless spectacle of wildebeest and zebra traversing vast plains in search of greener pastures. Its open landscapes, punctuated by kopjes and acacia trees, provide a stunning backdrop for an unforgettable safari experience.
Collectively, these destinations showcase the beauty of Tanzania, offering a tapestry of landscapes and an unrivaled opportunity to witness the wonders of African wildlife in their natural habitats.
Day-at-a-Glance
Day Description Accommodation
Day 0 Flight leaves U.S. Overnight Flight
Day 1 Arrive Arusha Kahawa Lodge
Day 2 Arusha Kahawa Lodge
Day 3 Tarangire National Park Maramboi Tented Lodge
Day 4 Lake Manyara National Park Ngorongoro Farmhouse
Day 5 Ngorongoro Crater Ngorongoro Farmhouse
Day 6 Central Serengeti Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
Day 7 Northern Serengeti Mara Under Canvas
Day 8 Northern Serengeti Mara Under Canvas
Day 9 Northern Serengeti Mara Under Canvas
Day 10 Flight to Arusha Rivertrees Country Inn
Day 11 Fly to USA
OR Add-on Rwanda gorilla trekking
Day 1
Welcome to Tanzania
Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania. You'll be met at the Arusha airport and transported directly to our accommodations. Unpack your bags, stroll around the surrounding gardens, and enjoy drinks on the pool terrace for a relaxing afternoon.
Accommodations: Kahawa Lodge
DAY 2
Arusha
Today is a leisurely day. Explore some local sights and get acclimated to your new surroundings. Explore the Cultural Heritage Centre to learn about Tanzanian art, history, and culture.
Lunch: Nyama Choma (grilled meat) or Pilau (spiced rice)
Head to the Maasai Market for a vibrant shopping experience. The market is known for its Maasai beadwork, fabrics, and crafts. Bargain for some unique items.
Accommodations: Kahawa Lodge
Day 3
Picturesque Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is characterized by its vast grasslands, ancient baobab trees, and the meandering Tarangire River, where herds of up to 300 elephants scratch the dry riverbed in search of underground streams while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest, and eland crowd the shrinking lagoons. Additionally, a variety of predators and an array of bird species make Tarangire a must-visit destination for those seeking an authentic African safari experience.
Accommodation: Maramboi Tented Lodge
DAY 4
Lake Manyara National Park
The Great Rift Valley is at its most impressive here. It was established to protect the vast elephant herds. The lake is renowned for its vibrant pink flamingos that gracefully wade through its shallow waters, creating a breathtaking spectacle against the backdrop of lush greenery. Lake Manyara’s thick forests are an unusual and surprising habitat for lions, known to climb and lounge in the trees. The endangered African wild dog and troops of several hundred olive baboons can be encountered here, too. Manyara has an incredible wealth of habitats, from soaring groundwater forest to Acacia woodland, a tranquil Flamingo-rimmed soda lake, and bubbling hot springs.
Some 400 species of birds have been recorded here.
Accommodations: Ngorongoro Farmhouse
DAY 5
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtaking natural wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a vast, volcanic caldera that shelters a diverse ecosystem, including some 25,000 large mammals along with the highest density of mammalian predators in Africa. Black rhinos are protected within the crater rim, giant tusked elephants wander the forests, black-maned lions stalk the grasslands, and flamingos crowd the soda lakes. Towering euphorbia cling to the crater walls, and fever and fig tree forests carpet the crater floor. Resplendent in their beads and furled in scarlet Shuka robes, the Maasai tend their herds.
Accommodations: Ngorongoro Farmhouse
DAY 6
Central Serengeti National Park
Embark on an exhilarating journey through Seronera to Central Serengeti National Park, where the untamed beauty of the African wilderness unfolds before your eyes. Perhaps it is best known as the site of the annual Great Migration, when an estimated three million antelope – mostly wildebeest — migrate to Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Reserve to the north. The picturesque Seronera River adds a scenic touch to your adventure, creating a perfect backdrop for capturing unforgettable moments in the heart of the world-renowned Serengeti ecosystem.
Accommodations: Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge
DAY 7
Northern Serengeti National Park
The Northern Serengeti captivates tourists with its vast, untamed landscapes and breathtaking wildlife encounters. Here, the iconic Great Migration unfolds, as millions of wildebeest and zebras traverse the expansive plains, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of nature. Visitors can witness thrilling predator-prey interactions, including dramatic river crossings, while enjoying the serenity of this remote and pristine corner of the Serengeti ecosystem.
We will have plenty of opportunity to witness wildlife of the plains. We will also have the option to take a hot-air balloon over the vast grasslands and migrating throngs.
Accommodations: Mara Under Canvas
DAY 8
Northern Serengeti National Park
Between January and March, the wildebeest give birth on the short grass plains of the Southeastern Serengeti, attracting a vast plethora of predators like lions, hyenas, leopards, and cheetahs. As the grazing runs low in this area, the wildebeest move to the central Serengeti. Around June or July, they move toward the Western Corridor before crossing the Grumeti and Mara Rivers on their journey to the Maasai Mara in Kenya.
Accommodations: Mara Under Canvas
DAY 9
Northern Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is a majestic pantomime on a scale unequaled on this planet, with masses of migrating herbivores and the predators that masterfully choreograph their hunts. Our role: observe and marvel.
Accommodations: Mara Under Canvas
DAY 10
Kogatende - Kilimanjaro
Today we will enjoy morning game drives, then head to Kogatende airstrip for a local flight departing at 10:00 and arriving at Kilimanjaro at 12:20.
Accommodations: Rivertrees Country Inn
PRICE
Price per person starting at (Shared Room): $7,000
Group size is 6 - 10 participants. Fewer than six will be an additional cost
Accommodations subject to change based on availability
Gorilla trekking Add-on
Day 1: Arrive in Kigali. The capital city of Rwanda welcomes tourists with a blend of vibrant urban life and a serene, green landscape. Known for its cleanliness and orderliness, Kigali offers visitors a safe and inviting environment. Explore the Genocide Memorial to understand Rwanda's history, stroll through local markets to experience the city's lively culture, and enjoy panoramic views from the hills that characterize the city. Kigali's culinary scene, cultural events, and warm hospitality make it an engaging introduction to the captivating beauty and resilience of Rwanda.
Day 2: After breakfast, the day starts with a city tour. The craft market, Gisozi genocide memorial site, and Kigali Museum are some of the attractions. A two-hour drive takes you to Ruhengeri, with its stunning backdrop of five volcanic mountains, the Virungas. Arrive at Red Rocks Intercultural Exchange Center for lunch, then join the local brew makers to learn the process of brewing a local beer from bananas.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking. After breakfast we will proceed to the park headquarters. The experience begins with a briefing at the Volcanoes National Park, where visitors are informed about the guidelines and expectations for the trek. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, participants embark on a trek through the dense and captivating rainforest. The journey involves navigating rugged terrain and, at times, steep slopes. Once the gorilla family is located, visitors are granted a precious hour to observe these remarkable creatures up close, witnessing their intricate social behaviors, interactions, and, often, playful antics.
We will return to the hotel for lunch and later dinner.
Day 4: After breakfast, we will go to Volcanoes National Park’s Ngezi walking trail, where 45 percent of Rwanda’s 700 bird species are found. The trail winds through diverse habitats, including forests and wetlands. It offers a serene setting for birdwatching, allowing visitors to encounter both resident and migratory birds.
Alternatively, we could go trekking for the elusive Golden monkey. Trekking for the Golden monkey in Rwanda takes you through the lush bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park, offering the opportunity to observe and photograph these playful and endangered primates in their natural habitat.
We will return to the lodge for lunch before departing for a two-hour drive to Kigali. We will have the opportunity to do some last-minute shopping in one of the friendliest African capitals before heading back to our hotel for the night.
Day 5: After our final breakfast and a morning of leisure, we will head out to the airport for our departure from Rwanda.
Meet your guides
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Kim Malcolm
OWNER, MALCOLM TRAVEL PARTNERS
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Gavin Sims
Gavin has been guiding since 1998, and has more than a decade of experience with safaris and walking trails in Big Five territory. He’s passionate about birding, wildlife, culture, and cuisine.